Dianella residents have expressed their determination to continue opposing plans to bury asbestos near their school, homes, and a nursing home. Despite the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) approving the use of a Mirrabooka site for landfill, the commission added an amendment prohibiting the dumping of asbestos or hazardous waste at the location.Dianella residents have expressed their determination to continue opposing plans to bury asbestos near their school, homes, and a nursing home. Despite the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) approving the use of a Mirrabooka site for landfill, the commission added an amendment prohibiting the dumping of asbestos or hazardous waste at the location. Craig Monaghan, principal of St Andrew’s Grammar School, which is just meters from the proposed landfill site, expressed encouragement about the WAPC’s amendment. He emphasized the potential health risks posed by exposure to asbestos and heavy metals for residents and students. However, Monaghan acknowledged that the fight is not over as a separate application has been submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation seeking approval to bury up to 200,000 tonnes of asbestos annually at the site. Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti and Stirling City Council representatives voiced concerns about the health impacts of the proposal and called for its rejection. On behalf of the applicant, David Maiorana stated that the application only related to the burial of inert, clean waste and not asbestos. WAPC vice-chair Emma Cole introduced the amendment, stating that she did not believe allowing an asbestos dump on a downtown site was in the best interests of the community. St Andrew’s Grammar, with over 750 pupils and staff, is located approximately 600 meters from the former brickworks, where the landfill is proposed. Additionally, approximately 100 residents reside in the Hellenic Community of WA nursing home next to the school. Residents and local representatives remain vigilant in their opposition to the asbestos burial plans.
Dianella residents have vowed to continue their opposition to plans to bury asbestos near a school, homes and a care home after the WA Planning Commission approved the use of a Mirrabooka site for landfill.
The WAPC on Wednesday gave the green light to an application by Brajkovich Landfill & Recycling to change the use of a landfill at 501 Alexander Drive to include waste sorting and storage there – just metres from classrooms at St Andrew’s Grammar School.
But after hearing from concerned residents and local governments, the commission added an amendment stating that no asbestos or hazardous waste can be dumped at the site.
A separate application has been submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation seeking approval to bury up to 200,000 tonnes of asbestos there annually.
Craig Monaghan, principal of St Andrew’s, who led the community’s opposition over concerns that exposure to asbestos and heavy metals could lead to serious health problems for residents and students, felt encouraged by the WAPC’s amendment.
Mr Monaghan claimed the situation was a “great victory” for the community.
“This is a fantastic step in our fight for the health and wellbeing of our school community by ensuring that asbestos and hazardous waste do not belong in the sorting facility,” he said.
“However, we still have to deal with another application from the same applicant at DWER, who wants to bury more than 100 tons of asbestos and hazardous waste per year. That is the next battle.”
“We celebrate this small victory, but the fight is not over yet.”
Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti and Stirling City Council staff had also called on the WAPC to reject the application, stating that they had serious concerns about the proposal and its potential health impacts.
“We must learn from the mistakes of the past and not repeat them,” said councillor Piffaretti.
On behalf of the applicant, David Maiorana of Rowe Group told the WAPC that a solid waste depot was consistent with the site’s historic use as a landfill.
He stressed that the application to the commission only related to the burial of inert, clean waste and not to asbestos.
Emma Cole, WAPC vice-chair and former Vincent mayor, who introduced the amendment, said she did not believe allowing an asbestos dump on a downtown site was in the best interests of the community.
St Andrew’s Grammar, with over 750 pupils from nursery to year 12 and 142 staff, is located approximately 600 metres from the former brickworks.
There are also approximately 100 residents living in the Hellenic Community of WA nursing home, next to the school.
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